Dell Precision 220 User Manual
Page 78
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate your system only with
system password protection.
You can assign a system password, as described in "
", whenever you use
System Setup
. After a system password
is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system.
Your System Password to Secure Your System
To change an existing system password, you must know the password (see "
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password
"). If you assign
and later forget a system password, you must remove the computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature
(see "
Disabling a Forgotten Password
"). Note that you erase the setup password at the same time.
NOTICE: If you leave your system running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave your
computer unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on
your hard-disk drive.
Assigning a System Password
Before you can assign a system password, you must enter System Setup and check the System Password option.
When a system password is assigned, the setting shown in System Password is Enabled. When the system password feature is disabled by a
jumper setting on the system board, the setting shown is Disabled. You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of these options
is displayed.
When no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (its default setting), the option
shown for the System Password option is Not Enabled. Only when System Password is set to Not Enabled can you assign a system
password, using the following procedure:
1. Verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
For instructions on changing the setting for Password Status, see "
Password Status
."
2. Highlight System Password, and then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field. The password assignment
operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard, without distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase characters. For
example, if you have an M in your password, the system recognizes either M or m as correct.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
To erase a character when entering your password, press
4. Press
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to
Verify Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press
The password setting changes to Enabled. Your system password is now set; you can exit System Setup and begin using your
system. Note, however, that password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system by pressing the reset button or by
turning the system off and then on again.
Using Your System Password to Secure Your System
Whenever you either turn on your system or press the reset button, or when you reboot the system by pressing the combination,
the following prompt appears on the screen when Password Status is set to Unlocked:
Type in the password and
- press
- press
Enter password:
If Password Status is set to Locked, the following prompt appears:
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press
move to another field, or press